Buffalo Bills News - October 13, 2003

Jets come back to life [4:13 AM]Jets Confidential reports:
'Speaking of direction, the Bills don't like the way they're headed. After a 2-0 start that had some suggesting their were of championship timber, they have lost three of four, have a dysfunctional offense, and have become the closest team the Jets can start to think of overhauling in the AFC East standings.'

October 12, 2003

New York Jets 30, Buffalo 3 [7:29 PM]Sportsticker reports:
'"Offensively, we just didn't make the big plays to put points on the board," Bledsoe said. "We didn't step up and make the big plays in order to win games like this."'

Bills' Running Game Returns, Just in Time [5:50 PM]BuffaloBills.com reports:
'The added dimension to the offense was exactly what the Bills needed in order to beat a feisty and much-improved Cincinnati team. Henry proved he is a vital part to the Bills' success, scoring two touchdowns, one, the game-winner in overtime.'

Jets DE Abraham sits against Bills [4:52 PM]AP reports:
'New York Jets defensive end John Abraham was held out of Sunday's game against the Buffalo Bills because of a drunken driving arrest.'

Quick Facts for Buffalo [3:22 PM]NewYorkJets.com reports:
'The defending AFC East champion Jets captured both games in 2002, a 37-31 overtime win in the season opener at Buffalo on September 8, and a 31-13 win on November 24 at the Meadowlands.'

Bills' look to ground Jets' air attack today [9:39 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'The Bills did a good job of getting Cincinnati's receivers on the ground last week. "We watched what (the Bengals) had done successfully the previous couple games, which was throw downfield, and that's why we played a lot of zone, and we were protecting over the top," Winfield said. "So that's why they were catching outs and curls, and we had to come up and make the tackles."'

Jets coming off break, and Bills can't get one [9:38 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"We know we're going to get their best," said Bills coach Gregg Williams, who is 1-3 against the Jets. "It's a place where the Bills, going down to Meadowlands, always have tough games, and we know they'll be well-prepared."'

When the Bills run [9:38 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Playing with a sense of urgency, Jets pull out 17-16 win.'

Pain management [9:37 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Around his neck is a long, silver chain. Each link represents every step he's taken over the years. Connected to the chain is a padlock with "II" inscribed on its face. Every time Shaw looks down, he knows his father is near his heart and his sister is in heaven. He's locked into a good life. Where he goes from here will be up to him.'

To succeed, Sabres and Bills need to develop an attitude [9:36 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'Look for the Jets' canny defensive coordinator, Ted Cottrell, to put eight men in the run box, daring Drew Bledsoe to throw. It makes sense since New York has one of the worst run defenses in the NFL.'

Polian's 'Comeback Colts' stir memories of Super Bowl Bills [9:36 AM]Buffalo News reports:
'"Those games are similar only in that they're comebacks from great deficits," Polian said. "A lot of people think Jim (Kelly) was the quarterback in that game. It was Frank Reich. Cornelius (Bennett) was out, too. There aren't any similarities, because we haven't accomplished one iota of what those teams in Buffalo accomplished.'

A Last Chance To Turn Around [9:34 AM]New York Newsday reports:
'With Pennington's return imminent, the Jets still could get on a roll. If the Jets can find a way to beat the Bills, Edwards can walk into the team meeting tomorrow morning and tell the players: You're 1-4, same as last year. It's not over.'

Jet rookie hopes for breakout game [9:33 AM]Bergen Record reports:
'A monster mash would be nice for Robertson and his teammates against the Bills today. It would be great to see him rack up some stats commensurate with his high draft status. Though he's been on the field for two-thirds of the Jets' defensive plays, he has modest numbers: 18 tackles, three quarterback pressures, one tackle for loss, and no sacks.'

Q&A: Lawyer Milloy [5:19 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'“This whole thing is more of a blessing than a negative. When the smoke cleared, not only did I end up financially OK, I ended up on a very good team and I’m actually back down in the box playing the run. I’m able to have fun in this defense. It allows people to make plays and flow to the ball.”'

Bills likely 0-for-6 in Canton voting [5:18 AM]Rochester D&C reports:
'Here’s how I rate those six nominees in order of the probability of being elected this time around for the shrine in Canton, Ohio...'.

Bills aren't taking winless Jets lightly [5:17 AM]Olean Times Herald reports:
'The bye week also didn’t hurt the Jets. "It probably came at a pretty good time for them with their injuries and some of the changes they were talking about making in their line-up,” said Buffalo coach Gregg Williams. “For them (the bye week) probably came at a pretty good time. Maybe they’re re-energized, a little more refreshed, and rested coming off of a tough month. We know we’re going to get their best."'

Edwards Looking for Jets to Play With More Energy [5:16 AM]New York Times reports:
'"Getting the young guys in the mix has been a positive thing for us," center Kevin Mawae said. "The tempo in practice has been a lot better than it has been the last three or four weeks. You need a lot of energy to play this game. At times, it feels like guys are just out there working instead of having fun and playing. It might be a product of the fact that we're losing. You feel you have to be perfect on everything. When you get caught up in trying to be perfect, everybody tries to walk a tightrope."'

Legend of the fall [5:15 AM]New York Daily News reports:
'Cottrell used the extra week to study the first four games - all 258 plays - determining which defensive calls worked best against certain plays. He will adjust his play-calling accordingly. A baseball analogy: If a pitcher, behind in the count, allows most of his home runs with curveballs, he's going to start throwing another pitch.'

Win would ease their pain [5:14 AM]New York Post reports:
'This is the Holy Grail the Jets are in search of today: One win, a first win, a baby step toward easing the ever-increasing vise-grip pressure the team has endured through the first quarter of the season.'

Flag on Herm if he benches Abraham [5:13 AM]New York Post reports:
'But if a coach's job is to give his team the best chance to win the game, then Abraham should play against the Bills today. He has five sacks in six career games against the Bills and is clearly the team's best pass rusher. If Kobe Bryant can practice with the Lakers, then Abraham can play today for the Jets.'

Spikes knows winless = dangerous [5:12 AM]New York Post reports:
'One area where the Jets and Bills are pretty even is in the running game, where Buffalo has averaged only 58.4 yards per game and an average of 2.5 yards per rush. The Jets are the only team worse, with an average of 52.3 yards per game.'

It's Hobson's turn to tackle [5:11 AM]Newark Star Ledger reports:
'Hobson, a second-round pick out of Michigan (53rd overall), was immediately anointed Lewis' heir apparent upon his selection last April. He's a high-energy, intimidating player who runs through opponents when he tackles them.'